If you’re planning to tie the knot next year but, for financial or other reasons, are unable to hold a reception after the wedding ceremony, Carriages Café  in Newark wants to hear from you.

The team at Carriages is offering one local couple the opportunity to celebrate with a free reception in its Pullman Suite, part of the newly renovated Victorian building alongside Platform 1 of Newark Castle Station.

The wedding party will have exclusive use of the Pullman Suite between 11am and 4.30pm on the date of the marriage, with Buck’s Fizz on arrival, a buffet for up to 30 guests, a Prosecco toast and a traditional single-tiered wedding cake. In addition, flowers for the top table, unlimited tea and coffee, background music and the services of a toastmaster will all be included in this incredible offer.

“We’re looking for a couple getting married in 2019 who deserve to share their special day with family and friends but whose personal circumstances mean this is something they would otherwise have to forego,” said Wendy Baird. “So we’re inviting people to get in touch and let us know just why a reception at Carriages would  be the icing on the cake for them.

“We’d also like to hear from people wanting to nominate someone who deserves a chance to win. If you know a local couple like this, who serve the community, volunteer for a charity or are carers perhaps, please get in touch and tell us about them.

“Being involved with and giving back to the community is something very close to our hearts at Carriages and we  hope this is another small way in which we can continue to do this. We know this is something we have in common with many other local businesses too so if any of them would like to support us by offering to donate the flowers, cake or other wedding favours we’d love to hear from them.”

Nominations for the free wedding reception can be made by sending an email to abigail@carriagesnewark.co.uk or via  the Carriages Facebook page. The closing date for nominations is Friday 30 November; an independent panel of judges will meet in the first week of December to draw up a shortlist and a public vote for the three finalists will be open on Facebook from Monday 10 December.

“We will be announcing the result of the public vote on Monday 24 December,” added Wendy. “What better Christmas present could there be for one lucky couple than to find out they will be able to celebrate their wedding with us next year?”